When most people think of Taiwan Maami, they think of bubble tea — and rightly so. Our teas are what brought many of you through our doors for the first time. But Taiwan's food culture is vast, vibrant, and endlessly exciting, and we have always wanted to share more of it with Chennai.
Because Taiwan Maami was never meant to be just a bubble tea shop. It is a window into Taiwanese food culture — a culture built on bold flavours, quality ingredients, and a street food tradition that is arguably the best in the world.
The Night Market: Where It All Begins
If you want to understand Taiwanese food, you need to understand the night market. These bustling, neon-lit open-air markets are the beating heart of Taiwan's culinary scene. Every evening, hundreds of stalls fire up their grills, steamers, and fryers, serving everything from crispy popcorn chicken to silky tofu pudding, from flame-grilled sausages to delicate shaved ice desserts.
Night markets are not just places to eat — they are social institutions. Families gather, friends catch up, couples stroll, and everyone eats. The food is unpretentious, and extraordinarily good. It is comfort food elevated to an art form.
What makes night market food special is the philosophy behind it: use good ingredients, prepare them with care, and serve them fresh. There are no shortcuts, no compromises, and no pretension. Just honest, delicious food made by people who have often been perfecting a single dish for generations.
The Flavour Profiles That Define Taiwanese Cuisine
Umami. Taiwanese cooking is built on layers of savoury depth. Soy sauce, sesame oil, five-spice powder, white pepper, and fermented ingredients create a foundation of flavour that is rich, complex, and deeply satisfying. This is not food that hits you with a single note — it unfolds on your palate.
Mild spice. Unlike some of its regional neighbours, Taiwanese cuisine tends toward gentle warmth rather than fiery heat. White pepper, ginger, and garlic provide a subtle kick that enhances without overwhelming. The spice is there to complement, not to dominate.
Sweet-savoury balance. One of the hallmarks of Taiwanese cooking is the interplay between sweet and savoury. A touch of sugar in a savoury glaze, a hint of soy in a sweet sauce — these contrasts create dishes that are balanced, nuanced, and endlessly moreish.
Taiwanese Chicken Steak: A Night Market Icon
No discussion of Taiwanese street food is complete without mentioning chicken. Taiwanese fried chicken steak— whether it is the famous yán sū jī (salt and pepper popcorn chicken) or the enormous jī pái (XXL chicken cutlet) — is a night market staple that has captured hearts worldwide.
What makes Taiwanese chicken different? It starts with the marinade — a fragrant blend of soy sauce, rice wine, five-spice powder, garlic, and white pepper that penetrates deep into the meat. The coating uses sweet potato starch instead of regular flour, creating an extraordinarily crispy exterior that stays crunchy long after frying. And the finishing touch — a shower of fried basil leaves and a dusting of spice powder — elevates it from simple fried chicken to something truly special.
At Taiwan Maami, our chicken dishes draw directly from this tradition. We have recently introduced Taiwan Maami ChickGozilla Line to our menu, prepared with the same techniques and flavour profiles that make it a night market legend. It is bold, crispy, aromatic, and unlike any fried chicken you have had before.
How Taiwan Maami Interprets It
Staying authentic. We do not water down Taiwanese flavours to fit a generic "Asian food" template. Our recipes are rooted in genuine Taiwanese cooking traditions, using the same spice blends, techniques, and ingredient combinations that you would find in Taiwan itself.
Adapting for modern dining. While our flavours are traditional, our presentation and service are designed for the modern diner. Whether you are eating in at our cafe, ordering for delivery, or grabbing a quick bite, the experience is seamless and enjoyable.
Quality ingredients over shortcuts. Just as we refuse to use powder-based tea, we refuse to cut corners with our food. Real ingredients, proper preparation, and fresh cooking — these are non-negotiable principles that apply to everything on our menu.
More Than a Bubble Tea Shop
Taiwan Maami is evolving. While bubble tea will always be at our core, we are excited to bring more of Taiwan's incredible food culture to Chennai. From crispy ChickGozilla to delicate mochi desserts, from authentic street food flavours to innovative new creations, our menu is growing — and every addition stays true to the same principles of authenticity and quality that define our teas.
We believe India is ready for real Taiwanese food. Not a diluted version, not a fusion experiment, but the genuine flavours that have made Taiwan one of the world's great food destinations.
Discover Taiwanese flavours at Taiwan Maami — explore our full menu of teas, food, and desserts.